Many couples overcome infertility using a simple intrauterine insemination procedure, especially when a low sperm count or changes in cervical mucus are the issues. When you’re faced with infertility, our team at The New York Fertility Center is the expert you can count on for an accurate diagnosis and the treatment that’s best for you, whether intrauterine insemination or another option. To schedule a consultation, call one of our offices in Manhattan or Flushing, New York, or book an appointment online.
Request an AppointmentWhat is intrauterine insemination (IUI)?
IUI is a type of artificial insemination in which a concentrated amount of sperm is placed directly into the uterus. From there, the sperm must be healthy enough to move through your fallopian tube and naturally fertilize an egg released from your ovary.
IUI can’t be done when the fallopian tubes are blocked. It may not be the best option when you have few eggs, or when you’re old enough that your eggs may not be viable.
Who is a good candidate for IUI?
Our team at NYFC may recommend IUI for couples who have unexplained infertility. IUI is also used to treat mild to moderate male factor infertility, which includes individuals with a low sperm count or who have blockages that prevent sperm from making it through the tubes that carry sperm and semen.
IUI is also a good option when infertility is caused by a problem in the woman’s cervix that stops sperm from getting into the uterus. This can happen when women don’t produce the right type of mucus to support sperm, or when scar tissue blocks the cervix.
When an IUI procedure is combined with medication to promote ovulation and increase the number of mature eggs, it may be used to treat infertility caused by:
- Irregular ovulation
- Mild endometriosis
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Prior cervical surgery
How is IUI performed?
IUI must be timed so that the sperm are placed in the uterus on the day an egg is released from the ovary. Our team at NYFC may ask you to use an ovulation predictor kit or inject medications to stimulate ovulation.
Sperm can come from the woman’s partner or a sperm donor. Once the sperm is donated, our team at NYFC processes the sample, separating sperm from seminal fluid to create a concentrated amount of the healthiest sperm.
The sperm is placed into a syringe attached to a long, thin catheter. Our team at NYFC passes the catheter through your cervix into the uterus, then releases the sperm at the top of your uterus near the opening to the fallopian tubes. After two weeks, you’ll go back for a test to see if you’re pregnant.
If you have questions about IUI, please don’t hesitate to call The New York Fertility Center, or use online booking to schedule an appointment.